Britain’s Got Talent fans go wild as Matt Lucas and Michael Ball lead stars in musical showcase

Britain’s Got Talent fans go into MELTDOWN as Matt Lucas and Michael Ball lead the stars in dazzling musical showcase to support struggling theatre industry

Matt Lucas and Michael Ball led the stars in a dazzling musical showcase to support the struggling theatre industry on Saturday’s Britain’s Got Talent final. 

The theatre industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many venues still closed after being forced to shut their doors in March.

Yet Matt and Michael joined forces with a collection of musical stars to perform songs from iconic musicals such as Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera.   

Dazzling: Matt Lucas (pictured) and Michael Ball led the stars in a dazzling musical showcase to support the struggling theatre industry on Saturday’s Britain’s Got Talent final  

A total of 60 performers came together to conjure up the dazzling lights of the West End in a breath-taking final.

As well as Michael and Matt, Carrie Hope Fletcher, John Owen-Jones, Shan Ako, Killian Donnelly, Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp also took to the stage.

The special performance coincided with Les Misérables 35th birthday and The Phantom of the Opera’s 34th birthday.

The musical medley provoked a flurry of comments on Twitter, with many expressing how much they miss the theatre and their excitement over Matt performing on stage.

Icon: The theatre industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many venues still closed after being forced to shut their doors in March (Michael Ball pictured)

Icon: The theatre industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many venues still closed after being forced to shut their doors in March (Michael Ball pictured) 

Passionate: Yet Matt and Michael joined forces with a collection of musical stars to perform songs from iconic musicals such as Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera (pictured)

Passionate: Yet Matt and Michael joined forces with a collection of musical stars to perform songs from iconic musicals such as Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera (pictured) 

One viewer penned: ‘So moved to watch @MrMichaelBall @RealMattLucas and so many others perform from @LesMisOffical on the stage of #BGT tonight. We need to get our theatres open again!’   

Another wrote: ‘Watching the west end performers on #BritainsGotTalent is heartbreaking. 

‘There is nothing to compare the feeling of watching these shows live. Pubs and restaurants may feed your thirst and appetite but performances like these feed the soul. Without the arts we are without a soul.’ 

A third viewer pointed out how in the Les Miserables segment, the performers changed the lyrics to express their keenness to get back on stage.

Otherworldly: Mary Poppins star Zizi Strallen performed her iconic flying stage entrance

Otherworldly: Mary Poppins star Zizi Strallen performed her iconic flying stage entrance

Reaction: The musical medley provoked a flurry of comments on Twitter, with many expressing how much they miss the theatre and their excitement over Matt performing on stage

Reaction: The musical medley provoked a flurry of comments on Twitter, with many expressing how much they miss the theatre and their excitement over Matt performing on stage

They said: ‘The West End performance on BGT saying ‘one show more’ instead of ‘one day more’ hit me in the feels. The arts and theatre is so important. We are not only viable but we are VITAL.’         

Ahead of Saturday’s extravaganza, top West End producer Cameron Mackintosh said: ‘Britain’s theatrical talent is the best in the world so it is a wonderful opportunity after seven months of enforced lockdown to be invited by Britain’s Got Talent to showcase three of my greatest British musical hits with their fabulous West End casts. 

‘Several years ago, Susan Boyle Dreamed her Dream and set the world alight and we are both eager and anxious to be told when we can fully reopen again next year so that we can all properly get on with our lives and celebrate the world beating talents of our amazing culture.’

On Saturday’s final, musical comic Jon Courtenay become the first ever Golden Buzzer act to win Britain’s Got Talent. 

All together now: Top West End producer Cameron Mackintosh said that it demonstrated how 'Britain's theatrical talent is the best in the world'

All together now: Top West End producer Cameron Mackintosh said that it demonstrated how ‘Britain’s theatrical talent is the best in the world’